Increase in children abusing laxatives for weight loss

Increasing numbers of teenagers are using laxatives to lose weight, with some taking dozens a day and seriously risking their health.

The charity Beat has been monitoring numbers and says 80% of people with anorexia or bulimia have taken the tablets and many of them are children.

Hospitals are reporting cases of children who have overdosed or suffered long-term damage.

Fiona Philips reports.

  • Subsection
  • Published